Monday, February 25, 2008
Arrival in the UK
We have much to praise God for. The last days in Brazil were excellent. A "surprise" party for us the night before we left turned into an extended time for testimonies of what the Lord had done over the last years. A large number of people spoke, for between 2 to 5 minutes each. We were amazed and overwhelmed by the consistency and depth of people's words, and so thankful for what God has done in the Peregrinos. Our journey began with a send-off at the airport - never the easiest of moments, with high emotions and no time or space for the words that might actually do justice to it all. But we left - seeing the group still in the observation area even as we took off for São Paulo.
At São Paulo a problem with our airline's seating arrangements, already evident at check-in in Florianópolis, became clearer as we boarded the big Airbus, to find passengers milling about in a confusion of divided families and general mayhem. We kept quiet and sweet... in hope. And hope did not disappoint, as the steward arrived, telling us, in the tones normally reserved for bad medical news, that we were being upgraded to business class. We replied, in an appropriately quiet manner, stiff-upper-lipped, blitz-spirited and with clear echoes of Captain Oates, that we were prepared to go along with his suggestion. We managed to enjoy the journey very much.
On arrival we were met by parentals (2), progeny (1, male) and Caroline Nicholls, and after a cup of tea in Starbucks (not known for its tea, but not so bad) we had an uneventful journey home to Haywards Heath.
We are very grateful for the provision of a car for our stay: an Astra, property of Bob and Veronica Campen from Cuckfield, which they are keeping on for us having just bought another car. This is an ENORMOUS help in what will be by no means an easy year financially.
Our first Sunday back at HHEFC felt very "normal". We had a visiting preacher, Mark Lawrence of Dunstable, who opened up 1 Thess 2, morning and evening. The songs particularly, as ever, drew our attention, with the mix of doctrinal depth and passion which we miss so much.
It was Tom's 21st though. Hard to believe that our youngest is so old. But then, it will be a year of "hard to believe." Hard to believe - Cora graduated from WEST after 6 years hard work, our Silver Wedding, both our children married. Pray for us regarding the emotional ride ahead.
Back home in Florianópolis, we are thankful to hear good things of the first weekend since we left. Please remember Taybar especially, as he settles into the rhythm of preaching, teaching and pastoral care.
We have much to praise God for. The last days in Brazil were excellent. A "surprise" party for us the night before we left turned into an extended time for testimonies of what the Lord had done over the last years. A large number of people spoke, for between 2 to 5 minutes each. We were amazed and overwhelmed by the consistency and depth of people's words, and so thankful for what God has done in the Peregrinos. Our journey began with a send-off at the airport - never the easiest of moments, with high emotions and no time or space for the words that might actually do justice to it all. But we left - seeing the group still in the observation area even as we took off for São Paulo.
At São Paulo a problem with our airline's seating arrangements, already evident at check-in in Florianópolis, became clearer as we boarded the big Airbus, to find passengers milling about in a confusion of divided families and general mayhem. We kept quiet and sweet... in hope. And hope did not disappoint, as the steward arrived, telling us, in the tones normally reserved for bad medical news, that we were being upgraded to business class. We replied, in an appropriately quiet manner, stiff-upper-lipped, blitz-spirited and with clear echoes of Captain Oates, that we were prepared to go along with his suggestion. We managed to enjoy the journey very much.
On arrival we were met by parentals (2), progeny (1, male) and Caroline Nicholls, and after a cup of tea in Starbucks (not known for its tea, but not so bad) we had an uneventful journey home to Haywards Heath.
We are very grateful for the provision of a car for our stay: an Astra, property of Bob and Veronica Campen from Cuckfield, which they are keeping on for us having just bought another car. This is an ENORMOUS help in what will be by no means an easy year financially.
Our first Sunday back at HHEFC felt very "normal". We had a visiting preacher, Mark Lawrence of Dunstable, who opened up 1 Thess 2, morning and evening. The songs particularly, as ever, drew our attention, with the mix of doctrinal depth and passion which we miss so much.
It was Tom's 21st though. Hard to believe that our youngest is so old. But then, it will be a year of "hard to believe." Hard to believe - Cora graduated from WEST after 6 years hard work, our Silver Wedding, both our children married. Pray for us regarding the emotional ride ahead.
Back home in Florianópolis, we are thankful to hear good things of the first weekend since we left. Please remember Taybar especially, as he settles into the rhythm of preaching, teaching and pastoral care.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Bye bye Brazil
We are in that final phase again - the big pack. Except that this time it is for six months. And with evaluations and medicals and everything to get through in order to come back. Six months of church visiting, ministry in Holland, Tom's twenty-first, Cora's dissertation, our Silver Wedding, the EMA, three graduations, Bec and Aidan's wedding, the Carey Family Conference, Tom and Emily's wedding...
In addition to thinking about all of the above for the UK pack Taybar and Patty will be living in the flat for the next 6 months, and we need to leave it in good order for them. And we are looking to move to another place soon after our return, so havce actually started some general house packing, in order to leave them more space too.
Our final Sunday here was excellent, with church lunch, baptisms and evening meeting with the Lord's Supper. The whole Peregrinos family seemed to be there (actually not all - some were far away... São Paulo, Los Angeles, Argentina, Chile, the UK) but we had record numbers for each part of the day. Thank you for praying. Andrew preached on Mark 7 and 8 - on the sovereignty of Christ to open blind eyes and deaf ears, and lead us to recognise him in his sufficiency to save. Great freedom. New people are turning up all the time, and we are very grateful for the signs of God's blessing.
All of this makes for this leaving being the most emotionally difficult yet. It is very hard - and yet we are desperate to see our children and wider family and church in the UK. What a strange life, to have your heart so firmly linked to two places.
Tonight there is a "surprise" farewell party, and tomorrow we fly. So much to do... We will try to get back to the blogging rhythm in the UK.
Singing with Taybar, Giovanna, Timóteo and Lídia after the three were baptised.
Further photos of the final days here are visible here.
Peregrinos' Carnival Retreat
Carnival fell early this year, and we havd a long weekend near the beach at Rio Vermelho, in the North of the island. We sought to brng new members up to speed with our basis and vision as a church by looking at the four aspects of church life visible in Acts 2:42. The days were hectic, made challenging by blocked toilets, and by a number of serious pastoral issues that were "uindergoing treatment" throughout the days. God was very good, and the event was an immense refreshment and moment of orientation.
Photos of the retreat can be seen here,
here
and here.
IPL
It was a joy to be involved in the ABU (UCCF) national leaders' training event in January. We spent two weeks with them, out of a three week conference, and believe that a key avenue for future ministry has been opned up for us. We are booked to return next year, and to be involved in the staff-workers' conference in October.
Photos of the IPL can be seen here.
We are in that final phase again - the big pack. Except that this time it is for six months. And with evaluations and medicals and everything to get through in order to come back. Six months of church visiting, ministry in Holland, Tom's twenty-first, Cora's dissertation, our Silver Wedding, the EMA, three graduations, Bec and Aidan's wedding, the Carey Family Conference, Tom and Emily's wedding...
In addition to thinking about all of the above for the UK pack Taybar and Patty will be living in the flat for the next 6 months, and we need to leave it in good order for them. And we are looking to move to another place soon after our return, so havce actually started some general house packing, in order to leave them more space too.
Our final Sunday here was excellent, with church lunch, baptisms and evening meeting with the Lord's Supper. The whole Peregrinos family seemed to be there (actually not all - some were far away... São Paulo, Los Angeles, Argentina, Chile, the UK) but we had record numbers for each part of the day. Thank you for praying. Andrew preached on Mark 7 and 8 - on the sovereignty of Christ to open blind eyes and deaf ears, and lead us to recognise him in his sufficiency to save. Great freedom. New people are turning up all the time, and we are very grateful for the signs of God's blessing.
All of this makes for this leaving being the most emotionally difficult yet. It is very hard - and yet we are desperate to see our children and wider family and church in the UK. What a strange life, to have your heart so firmly linked to two places.
Tonight there is a "surprise" farewell party, and tomorrow we fly. So much to do... We will try to get back to the blogging rhythm in the UK.
Singing with Taybar, Giovanna, Timóteo and Lídia after the three were baptised.
Further photos of the final days here are visible here.
Peregrinos' Carnival Retreat
Carnival fell early this year, and we havd a long weekend near the beach at Rio Vermelho, in the North of the island. We sought to brng new members up to speed with our basis and vision as a church by looking at the four aspects of church life visible in Acts 2:42. The days were hectic, made challenging by blocked toilets, and by a number of serious pastoral issues that were "uindergoing treatment" throughout the days. God was very good, and the event was an immense refreshment and moment of orientation.
Photos of the retreat can be seen here,
here
and here.
IPL
It was a joy to be involved in the ABU (UCCF) national leaders' training event in January. We spent two weeks with them, out of a three week conference, and believe that a key avenue for future ministry has been opned up for us. We are booked to return next year, and to be involved in the staff-workers' conference in October.
Photos of the IPL can be seen here.
